Fernie mayor thanks Flames for 'beautiful gesture' of outdoor rink after 3 men died in ammonia leak

The mayor of Fernie, B.C., is thanking the Calgary Flames Foundation for the “beautiful gesture” of paying for an NHL-sized outdoor rink.

The community’s indoor arena has been closed since ammonia — a toxic gas used to freeze ice — leaked and killed three men last month.

The town’s recreational services director Lloyd Smith, 52, chief facility operator Wayne Hornquist, 59, and refrigeration specialist Jason Podloski, 46, died when investigating an alarm early in the morning on Oct. 17 at the Fernie Memorial Arena.

“I have to say the first couple of weeks were pretty challenging and sad for everybody,” Mayor Mary Giuliano